The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1887-03-24
Sober and Sensible Thoughts!

Sober and Sensible Thoughts!
To the Editor of the Standard:
| have very great admiration for
your paper, in its bold, fearless and
fair utterances in behalf of all ques-
tions of reform, and prominently that
of Temperance.
/ admire a man of conviction, and
especially one who has the courage to
utter those convictions. Your utter
ances on the Temperance question have
been clear, dispassionate, sensible.
They commend themselves to eve
ry thoughtful, serious, sober-minded
person. | commend your paper for
setting style in the discussion of
temperance which, if adopted in any
large way by other local papers,
would soon swing into line such for
midable force Of public sentiment
against the whisky traffic and the open
saloon, as would speedily crush out
forever the entire business.
This Temperance question is one of
vast proportions, and possessed of pow
erful resources. In meeting this ques-
tion we shall have need of our wits. It
will be important that we keep our
heads on our shoulders, and not let
our zeal run away with our brains.
The utterances of the Standard ON the
subject are so cordial and fair that
they are effecting for the cause of
Temperance larger things that its ed
itor can possibly now know. As I
have an opportunity to know in regard
to these things, am simply speaking
the things that | know.
Mr.. Editor, allow me in this connec-
ton to disclose something which in
certain political circles seem to be un-
known and unperceiyed. | travelled
over the larger part Of five counties
and what / find to be true in these
Counties, is doubtless proportionately
true Of all other Counties in the State.
| have taken some pains to inform
myself on this matter, and having ac-
cess to, and having the ear of, the
representative elements in these Coun-
ties am prepared to say that the feel
ing existing among many Republicans
concerning the course pursued by the
Cincinnati Commercial Gazette In re-
regard to the Temperance question, is
very far from being satisfactory, and
fears are largely entertained that if
this paper continues its opposition to
the wishes of the rural districts res
peeting Temperance Legislation, it
will be the occasion of laying the Re
publican party Of Ohio wide open.
The dissatisfaction with the Gazette
is large, respectable and significant.
Also the dissatisfaction with the pol
itical management in the State is large
and decided. The measure Of dissatis-
faction respecting our Representatives
in the General Assembly, in refusing
to pass Local Option Law, is well up
towards the point of evaporation. /
have recently talked with hundreds of
Stalwart Republicans who are skirt
ing the ragged edge, as it were, who
are very outspoken in their
declarations, that if decency and
sobriety may not receive consideration
at the hands Of our law makers under
the present political management.
then they propose to go in for polit-
ical crash. These things that l am
now reporting are not the efusions OF
enthusiasts and cranks, they are the
deliberate declarations of intelligent,
sensible, influential, respectable men.
And if this kind Of feeling pervades
the State as it does the five Counties
in which | travel, then there is in this
thing "a shaking in the tops Of the
mulberry trees" that may readily be
interpreted as prelude to storm.
There is no use in trying to cover up
the fact, the open saloon in this country
must 90. To this end the tide Of pub
lie sentiment has set in. The hand
writing is on the wall. People are not
going to keep their hands on their
mouths much longer. They are going
to "speak out in meeting"
Gov. Foraker is in favor with the
people. He is regarded as clean man,
but the political bosses feel nervous
about him. They are afraid they
may not be able to manipulate him
and run him to their own liking. |
have been lifelong Republican, have
always acted with the Republican par
ty, never voted any other ticket. I
should be 10th to part company with
this splendid old party.
But if she in her leaders disregards
moral and social interests, she will find
herself being left by those whom she
can least afford to lose-those who
have moral convictions and moral
courage. Deceney will hod the reins
in this country, or soon there will be
no reins to hold.
JG AppuCKTE